Haikyuu! Reaching New heights

Score: 23-23.

The tension in the gym was unreal.

✔ Both teams were exhausted, but no one was backing down.

✔ Every point felt like life or death.

✔ The first set was about to be decided.

Kenji wiped sweat from his forehead. "One mistake and we're done."

I clenched my fists. "Then we won't make any."

Across the net, Takahashi smirked.

"This is where real players shine, Hinata."

I grinned. "Then let's see who shines brighter."

The ref blew the whistle.

Game on.

Aokiri's Matsui, served fast and low.

Izumi dug it up perfectly.

Kenji rushed in—Aokiri's blockers prepared to jump.

I sprinted forward—but so did Arai.

Aokiri's blockers hesitated. Who was getting the ball?

Kenji made his move—setting it to Arai.

Arai swung—but Takahashi read it perfectly.

BLOCKED!

The ball bounced back to our side.

Point: Aokiri.

Score: 23-24.

Set Point: Aokiri.

Kenji cursed. "Damn it! They were ready!"

Aokiri's bench erupted in cheers.

Takahashi smirked. "One more point, and this set is ours."

I exhaled, stepping forward.

"Not if we stop you first."

....

Takahashi stepped up to serve.

If he got an ace, the set was over.

He tossed the ball—jumped—

And sent it straight at me.

Izumi yelled, "Hinata, get it!"

I dug my feet in—focused completely.

The ball swerved mid-air—a jump float serve.

But this time, I was ready.

I adjusted last second—receiving it cleanly.

Kenji rushed in—quick set to Daichi.

Daichi swung straight down the middle.

BAM!

Point: Us.

Score: 24-24.

Kenji pumped his fist. "We're not done yet!"

Izumi grinned. "Overtime!"

...

✔ The set wouldn't end at 25 points.

✔ A team had to win by at least two.

✔ Every rally was now even more critical.

24-24.

25-25.

Neither team would break.

Both sides refused to lose.

Takahashi's smirk had disappeared. He was locked in now.

Kenji exhaled. "We need something big."

I grinned. "Then let's end this with a bang."

The ref blew the whistle.

This was it.

Who would take the first set?

...

Score: 25-25.

No one in the gym was breathing.

✔ Both teams had fought tooth and nail to get here.

✔ Every rally felt like it could be the last.

✔ Neither side was willing to break.

Kenji exhaled. "Whoever wins this next point takes control of the match."

I clenched my fists. "Then let's make sure it's us."

Across the net, Takahashi's eyes were sharp.

The ref blew the whistle.

Game on.

..

Kenji served deep.

Aokiri's libero, Matsui, dug it up perfectly.

Koga, their setter, flicked a fast set to Takahashi.

I jumped to block.

Takahashi read me instantly—faking his spike.

Instead, he tipped the ball over my hands.

Izumi dove—somehow keeping it alive!

The ball floated toward Kenji—who immediately set it to me.

I sprinted—jumped—swung—

BLOCKED!

The ball rebounded off Aokiri's middle blocker, Yamada—but Kenji recovered it!

The rally continued.

✔ Powerful spikes.

✔ Desperate saves.

✔ Block after block.

Neither side let the ball hit the ground.

The crowd was on their feet.

Kenji panted. "This… is insane…"

Takahashi smirked. "Not bad, Hinata."

I grinned. "Not bad yourself."

..

After nearly a full minute of nonstop action—I saw an opening.

Aokiri's defense was shifting too far to the left.

'This is it.'

Kenji read my eyes.

He set the ball—fast and low.

Aokiri's blockers jumped—but I delayed my swing.

At the last second, I angled my wrist, tipping the ball to the right corner.

Takahashi lunged—but missed.

BAM!

Point: Us.

Score: 26-25.

Kenji's eyes widened. "Holy crap… you actually faked them out!"

Izumi screamed. "SET POINT! SET POINT!"

I clenched my fists.

'One more. Just one more point.'

Across the net, Takahashi sighed.

Then—he smirked.

"Alright, Hinata. Time for one last battle."

..

Kenji stepped up to serve.

This was it.

✔ One point to take the set.

✔ One chance to strike first.

✔ One last test of endurance.

The ref blew the whistle.

Kenji tossed the ball—jumped—served.

Aokiri's libero barely saved it.

Koga, their setter, had to scramble to get the ball.

Takahashi jumped for the spike.

I jumped with him—meeting him in the air.

Time slowed.

This was it.

Me vs. Takahashi.

The ultimate showdown.

He swung—but I read his move.

I pressed my hands forward—

BLOCKED!

The ball slammed straight down on Aokiri's side.

BAM!

Final Score: 27-25.

We won the first set.

Step 4: The Aftermath

For a second—silence.

Then—our side erupted.

✔ Izumi tackled me in celebration.

✔ Kenji fell to the floor in exhaustion.

✔ Arai and Kōji shouted in victory.

Matsuda-sensei smirked. "Not bad."

I panted, looking across the net.

Takahashi wasn't upset.

Instead—he smiled.

"…Alright, Hinata. That was impressive."

Then his eyes narrowed.

"But we're not done yet."

I grinned. "Good. Because neither am I."

Set 2 was about to begin.

And Aokiri wasn't going to hold back anymore.